He has worked as an investigator for the Colorado Civil Rights Division and as a criminal investigator for the Colorado Division of Insurance.

With a deep family history in Colorado and support from the most liberal wings of the Democratic party, he has won backing from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a former presidential candidate.

Here are five things you need to know about (and a short biography of) Salazar, who is facing former University of Colorado Law School dean Phil Weiser in the June 26 Democratic primary for Colorado attorney general:

Deep Colorado roots

Salazar calls himself a Colorado son and says his family roots here date back to before the Centennial State was a state.

His family’s Spanish side came to the area in the late 1500s or early 1600s. He also has ties to the Apache tribe and says his connection to Colorado is on a “spirit-deep level.”

“I get how difficult it is to make it through life, particularly when you’re in cycles of poverty,” he said. “That’s why I do what I do.”

Biggest disappointment at legislature

Related Articles

May 30, 2018

Five things to know about Phil Weiser, one of two Democratic candidates for Colorado attorney general

May 29, 2018

U.S. Rep. Thomas Garrett announces he is an alcoholic and will not seek re-election

May 28, 2018

Why Colorado’s environmental battles aren’t the focus of the nation’s top Democratic donor in the 2018 election

May 27, 2018

Democrats running for Colorado attorney general are aligned on the issues — but not on how to solve them

May 24, 2018

Facebook to label election-related “issue ads” in U.S.

Out of all his ups and downs at the Colorado General Assembly, where he was vice chair of the House Judiciary and State, Veterans and Military Affairs committees, Salazar says his biggest disappointment was not being able to pass legislation for the indigenous community.

“That I couldn’t get any bills past the Senate when it came to the American Indian community — that still hurts me to this day,” he said.

One failed bill in particular — it would have mandated Colorado’s state colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition to anyone in a tribe with a historic connection to the state — hit really hard.

“I’m a pretty strong dude,” he said of the 2014 measure. “But that bill made me cry.”

Salazar could have sought another two-year term, at the Colorado General Assembly, but jumped into the attorney general’s race because he said he was done with the legislative branch of government.

A farewell rap

During their final hours in the Colorado Capitol, departing state lawmakers often give speeches remembering their time under the gold dome. Salazar — a member of the so-called “Dog House Dems,” known for bucking their party’s trend — decided to turn his farewell into a rap.

“I thought, ‘I’ve given too many speeches in this place. I’m going to do a rap,’ ” he said. “It was an angsty rap. It was my six years of experience at the legislature, the things that I saw.”

Here’s a taste:

“The Second Amendment is still alive. Stop jacking with women’s rights,” he rapped. “People of color got you in their sights, health care is a human right. Republicans and Democrats fighting like stupid, angry cats, but triumph happened when we came together fighting for the people of the state — one people, birds of a feather.”

“Take Me Home, Country Roads”

Despite Salazar showing a proficiency in rapping, one of his favorite musicians is John Denver.

Biggest challenge in 2018

2018 candidates for Colorado attorney general

Phil Weiser has been able to outraise him by roughly $1 million, and Salazar had less than $8,000 cash on hand heading into May. That means Weiser can spend a boat load of money to get his name in front of voters before the primary and potentially chip away at the name recognition advantage that Salazar holds.

But Salazar is brushing off the idea that the discrepancy could be a problem for him — all the while throwing barbs at Weiser’s record.

“I have one of the highest name IDs,” he said. “… He’s not raising money, per se, to have to beat me. He’s raising money because no one has any clue who he is. Meanwhile, as he is spending money hand over fist, so that way people can possibly recognize his name, we have built a volunteer organization of thousands across this state.”

Where the two Democrats in the Colorado attorney general’s race primary stand on the issues

A look at where Phil Weiser and state Rep. Joe Salazar stand on some of the most pressing issues facing Colorado. The pair face off in the June 26 primary for a chance to become Colorado’s next attorney general.